PWD Leaders Demand Cabinet Representation, Unveil 10-Point Agenda Ahead of 2027 Polls
Matters Disability Updated: 04 June 2026 08:24 EAT
Photo courtesy
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have intensified demands for greater inclusion in Kenya's governance structures ahead of the 2027 General Election, unveiling a comprehensive 10-point agenda aimed at securing meaningful representation in political, economic and social spheres.
Speaking during a Persons with Disabilities Breakfast Forum in Nairobi, Consortium of Disabled Persons Organizations in Kenya (CDPOK) Executive Director Joseph Atella said PWDs remain among the country's most marginalized groups despite constitutional protections and years of advocacy. He cited inaccessible polling stations, inadequate civic education materials, communication barriers and persistent societal discrimination as key obstacles preventing many from fully participating in democratic processes.
Atella noted that the Constitution guarantees equality, non-discrimination and political participation for persons with disabilities, but argued that implementation of these provisions remains inadequate. He called on the government to translate legal protections into practical opportunities through stronger enforcement of disability laws and policies.
The disability rights advocate also emphasized the need for greater economic empowerment, urging authorities to expand opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, trade and national development programmes. He further called for improved access to assistive technologies, healthcare, social protection initiatives and inclusive education systems tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The forum welcomed the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, describing it as a significant milestone in advancing disability rights. However, stakeholders urged the government to fast-track the development of regulations necessary for the law's full implementation and to strengthen compliance with regional and international disability rights commitments.
Nandi County Nominated MCA Bridgit Songok led calls for increased representation of persons with disabilities in senior government positions, including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and ambassadors. She observed that no person with a disability has ever been appointed to a Cabinet position since independence, despite the community's contribution to national development.
Songok also called for comprehensive disability data collection to support effective planning and resource allocation. She urged the government to fully implement the constitutional requirement reserving at least five percent of opportunities in public institutions for persons with disabilities and to expand affirmative action funds and business support programmes targeting disability-owned enterprises.
The MCA further advocated for stronger support for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities through tax incentives and enhanced social protection measures. She proposed a structured framework guaranteeing disability representation across national and county governments, including dedicated positions within the Executive, Parliament and county assemblies.
At the county level, Songok called for the appointment of at least one County Executive Committee Member and a dedicated director responsible for coordinating disability affairs in every county government. She also urged increased funding for disability sports, citing challenges faced by athletes in accessing training facilities, equipment and international competitions.
Veteran disability rights advocate Dr. Samuel Kabue said Kenya has one of Africa's strongest disability rights frameworks but continues to face significant implementation gaps. He noted that disability advocacy has evolved from a charity-based approach to a rights-based movement focused on equality, inclusion and accountability.
Kabue urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to reinstate the Disability Inclusion Coordinating Committee to oversee accessibility and participation in electoral processes. He also challenged political parties to formally recognize disability caucuses and strengthen engagement with disability members, while calling for legal reforms to guarantee minimum representation thresholds for persons with disabilities in Parliament and county assemblies ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tags: Article Edit Editor's Pick Editors choice Matters Disability Matters Disaility Member Of Parliament Parliament Parliament To Be Dissolved Political Parties Political Partys Political Science Political tensions Politics Pwds Political Inclusion Signs Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya William Ruto
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD